Group Learns To Sail Through Life's Rough Waters

September 03, 1996|By AMY ASH NIXON; Courant Staff Writer

Although Richard Fucci and Donna DeMarest made headlines in the Shake-A-Leg Regatta in Newport, R.I., Aug. 23, the sailing group the two are involved in isn't about competition -- it's about building confidence in people with disabilities.

Fucci, of Guilford, helped found the Sail Connecticut Access Program in 1990, which originated out of New Haven and moved to Brewers Pilots Point Marina in Westbrook several years ago. He suffered a spinal cord injury 18 years ago in a small plane crash. Fucci learned to sail after his accident and now is a volunteer skipper in the sailing program.

DeMarest, of Watertown, is president of the nonprofit program, which every year introduces dozens of disabled people to the water and shows them what is possible regardless of limitations.

Fucci, 53, said he grew up in East Haven and has always lived along Connecticut's shoreline. A few years after being introduced to sailing through his friend, Harry Horgan of the Shake-A-Leg sailing group, he decided to launch a program here.

``Connecticut's shoreline is so beautiful,'' Fucci said.

Fucci also thought it was time to develop a program in Connecticut so disabled sailors from the area wouldn't have to commute to Rhode Island.

Fucci, who had his first sailing experience in 1987 when he competed in the Shake-A-Leg Regatta, did well the first day of the 10th annual regatta. He and DeMarest had the initial lead, making headlines in the Providence Journal. Later, when winds kicked up, they slipped and finished in the bottom half of the event, which drew 10 teams from as far as California and Florida, and even one sailor from Nova Scotia.

But regatta success isn't what Sail Connecticut is about. Its success is introducing people with a range of disabilities to the water, and showing them they can enjoy and master sailing, Fucci stressed Friday.

Through the group's volunteers and fleet of boats, people who ordinarily wouldn't be able to get onto sailboats, or afford the cost of sailing, can try it out safely and for free. People who choose to become members of Sail Connecticut pay an annual membership fee of $10.

In its relatively short life, Sail Connecticut has recruited many volunteers and dozens of members, and has restored several donated sailboats. The group even gave one of its sailboats to a medical center in Charleston, S.C., which was seeking information about starting a similar sailing program, Fucci said. He said the group later sent back a photograph of the restored sailboat, and happy news about its new sailing program.

Boats used in the program have been ``adapted to make it easy to sail them,'' Fucci said. One of the program's sailboats is called Ismael, named for Ismael Chavez, who was in charge of handicapped services for the city of New Haven before dying of a heart attack at the age of 38 several years ago. Chavez, who suffered from polio as a child and used a wheelchair, helped many people through his work and spirit, Fucci said.

The program, which is carrying on in Chavez's spirit, spreads encouragement and the excitement of being able to return to a sport many people enjoyed before an accident or injury.

DeMarest, 34, said she had always loved sailing as a teenager, but had abandoned it after a spinal cord injury in a car accident in 1981. She said that as a young girl, the first ``major thing I bought with my paper route money was a little Sunfish.''

``After my injury, I thought I couldn't do it anymore. Then a friend of mine told me they were starting a place closer, in Connecticut, and they had just kicked off the program and just put the boat in the water,'' DeMarest said. ``I was one of the first people to go out, it was Labor Day weekend of 1990.''

Six years later, DeMarest said she is grateful to have been reintroduced to the sport. It has prompted trips to regattas in Chicago, Miami, Vancouver and other places, and has introduced her to many great people, she said. From the moment she went back out on the water, she said, she knew she had regained something important.

``It was fantastic. It was sailing like I always loved to do, and it was totally accessible to me again. We have pictures and videos of that day, and I don't think I stopped smiling the whole time,'' DeMarest said.

After his trip with Sail Connecticut, Tom Connors of North Branford wrote the group to thank them for his experience on the water, made possible by a special lift to get him into the boat, and the work of the volunteers.

``The sail was an affirmation of people with disabilities and the synergy which occurs when we pull together,'' Connors wrote. ``It only required of me that I be there and be willing to leave the security and familiarity of my wheelchair to venture on to the boat. I applaud you and the membership of Sail Connecticut for your efforts on behalf of your brothers and sisters with disabilities. Your success in the creation of this program made it possible for me to experience intimately the ocean I love so much.''

Rives Potts, general manager of Brewers Pilots Point Marina, said Friday the marina is happy to host the program.

``We feel very strongly about sailing and boating in general, being wonderful water recreation,'' Potts said. ``Whether you're able or disabled or whatever, it makes no difference. I feel like we all have reasons or things that may keep us from doing things, physical or mental, and it's great to make sure everyone has an opportunity to get onto the water.''

Throughout the summer, the sailing group holds open houses and brings people out on its fleet of donated boats and vessels other sailors bring to the events. Another open house is being organized for September -- a month Fucci says is great for sailing as the leaves begin to change color. Anyone interested may call the group's answering machine through Gaylord Hospital at (203) 294-1524 and leave a message seeking further information. People can also ask to schedule a sailing trip with volunteers from the program.